Ken Erickson Knives: A Retrospective

[JatMat]

My imagination is running away with me, an object of true beauty and function. Congratulations Elliott, really a nice one.
Jim

 

[supratentorial]

Here's a few additional images of Ken's stockman. I just can't capture the depth of the deep burgundy scale color so you'll have to use your imagination.

I was hoping for a passaround. Congrats, Elliot! Beautiful work, Ken!

 

[Blues]

Thanks fellas...Ken knows these darn stock and cattle knives are like Kryptonite...What's the sense in trying to resist?
(I was only supposed to look it over and give some feedback...yeah sure...Sigh.)

 

[wagglebee]

Thanks fellas...Ken knows these darn stock and cattle knives are like Kryptonite...What's the sense in trying to resist?
(I was only supposed to look it over and give some feedback...yeah sure...Sigh.)

Man I'd be in trouble if someone sent me these knives just to look over, I wouldn't want to give up any of them!

 

[Blues]

Man I'd be in trouble if someone sent me these knives just to look over, I wouldn't want to give up any of them!

Tell me about it...

 

[rprocter]

This is one of the first 2 lockbacks that Ken made. I bought it with the sheath on the secondary market for a modest price. I expected in to be not quite as smooth, solid and precise as the 4 more recent Erickson folders i have. I was wrong. This is a Great Knife !
It's one of my EDC's, still sharp with Ken's edge and locks up with fixed blade like solidity. A 100% definite keeper. I don't think you could find a better large user folder.

It's one of my "best" (most loved) knives.
roland

 

[Blues]

Looks like a classic, Roland. They never go out of style. :thumbup:

 

[sextant]

Congrats Roland - what a great knife!
That's one of my all time favorite patterns :thumbup:

 

[wagglebee]

That's an incredible lockback Roland.

 

[cnas122]

Thursday night at Blade, me and Kerry spent about an hour with Ken in his room and looked over every knife he brought to Blade. Talk about fun...and I was lucky enough to find the one I really really wanted that night and I got to Ken's table at 9am the next morning

 

[ken erickson]

I wanted to thank everyone for the contributions to this thread! The kind comments on my work keep me going and they are very much appreciated, more than most will know.

Roland,
I am glad you like that lockback. They were a fun set to build and I learned tons when I did them.

Campbell,

I should have some wip pictures before too long. Its going to be an exciting knife for me to build

 

[rprocter]

Campbell, how 'bout some clues as to what pattern this "exciting" knife is ? Obtuse, cryptic, a puzzle for us to solve.
roland

 

[cnas122]

Many of you know my favorite pattern....and that's what it is......

 

[wagglebee]

Many of you know my favorite pattern....and that's what it is......

A cotton sampler right?

 

[bakerg2g]

Campbell, I'm thinking Saddlehorn! I'm sure of it...lol



Jason

 

[cnas122]

Smart man Rob....

 

[cnas122]

I probably want to see this WIP more than anyone!

 

[ken erickson]

Here are a few pictures of the Remington cotton sampler that Campbell sent me. This particular cotton sampler has some pretty interesting features that Campbell wanted me to carry over into my rendition. The slanted heavily fluted bolsters are noteworthy as are the swelled scales. By this I mean that they do not sit flush with the bolsters. The scales sit proud of the bolsters giving a more substantial less flat feeling in the hand. While this knife is under-bladed slightly I will be building this one with a smooth transition from spine to blade. I also think this knife is pretty cool in the fact it has steel or iron liners versus brass or NS.

I will be doing a wip on this knife starting in the next few days. Thanks in advance for following along!

 

[Blues]

Summertime, and the livin's easy...fish are jumpin', and the cotton is high...

Good luck and congrats to you both on this new project!

 

[ken erickson]

The first step for me when I make a new pattern is make the frame pattern. In this case I used Micarta but at times I use brass or whatever I have laying around.

The important thing when making a pattern for the frame is to get it as close to size as possible. I use calipers to check key points compared to the Remington. I then drill the three holes for the blade pivot and backspring.

When I am happy with my pattern I then transfer it to my 416 bar stock, scribe a line and cut out on my portable bandsaw.

After cutting out the two frame pieces, rough profiling them, I drill the three holes.

I now have two matching frame sides, with holes drilled.

Next step for me is make a rough pattern of the blade using vulcanized spacer material. I use this as its handy, I can drill and grind it to profile and it is easy to work.

I will fine tune my blade pattern before laying out and cutting out of my blade stock. Blade stock on this knife is .130